'Elephant man' drug trial victim celebrates birth of first child

A victim of the disastrous "elephant man" drug trials is celebrating Fathers' Day after the birth of his first child.

David Oakley, with his wife Katrina and new daughter HayleyPhoto: NEWS OF THE WORLD

By John Bingham

3:01PM BST 15 Jun 2008

David Oakley, who was left fighting for his life after taking part of the tests at Northwick Park Hospital in London two years ago, was overjoyed 11 days ago when his wife Katrina gave birth to their daughter Hayley.

The 37-year-old was one of six men who suffered adverse reactions to an anti-arthritis drug they had been paid to try out. Many of the men's heads swelled up leading to headlines about them being left looking like the elephant man.

Mr Oakley's whole body swelled up and within six months he was showing what he says were early signs of cancer. A legal wrangle with clinical research company Parexel over liability is ongoing.

Mr Oakley, the first of the trial victims to have a child, described his daughter as a "blessing" he scarcely dared hope for.

"I just can't believe she's here after all we've been through," he told the Mail on Sunday.